I recently received a bottle of wine that would normally be way, way out of my range as a gift. Are there are any recommended restaurants that will do a tasting menu based on the wine? The Caucus Room’s Executive Chef Lisa Graves will create a menu to compliment your wine(s). Simply call Isabella at the resturant and she will talk you through the details, including food preferences and the number of courses you envision….

Maybe it was the uniformed security officer. Or the older, badge-wearing university officials who seemed to lurk about. Or perhaps the complete lack of any alcohol. Whatever it was, last Friday’s Katrina Benefit concert at American University co-sponsored by DCist had the uncanny feel of a high school dance, short of the cheesy disco ball and mandatory tear-shedding song towards the end. However, unlike our hazy memories of high school functions, Friday’s event featured a…

Well everyone, it’s Friday. We don’t know about you, but it means that we’re exploiting our office’s casual Fridays dress policy and counting down the hours until the weekend begins. It also means we’re just a few hours away from the DCist Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert at American University. Local singer Laura Burhenn pulled together a stellar lineup for tonight including local acts Gist, Cartel, Paul Michel, RPM, Army of Me, and herself for a…

Kinkead Signs New Book in Dupont Cookbook fanatic? Kinkead’s fanatic? Simply a food lover? Head to Best Cellars Dupont this Saturday for the 2 p.m. signing of Kinkead’s Cookbook: Recipes from Washington D. C.’s Premier Seafood Restaurant by Chef Bob Kinkead himself. The book offers more than 120 recipes from his Kinkead’s repertoire. We are eager to try our hand at some of these. Recreating Kinkead’s cuisine at home will definitely make the dinner guests…

While we continue to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster that just over a week ago brought untold death and destruction to New Orleans and other cities and town along the Gulf Coast, we are similarly overwhelmed by the generosity of Americans and the international community alike. Individuals, groups, and organizations have led the charge in the Washington metropolitan area with a variety of fundraisers, more of which we feature here: — Head…

When the scope of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina became evident last week, many D.C. residents did what they could to help the situation. We here at DCist created a category to keep track of our proliferating posts about local fundraisers and volunteer opportunities, and now even the news that the city may host a thousand or more evacuees from New Orleans. Local singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn responded as well – getting on the phone…

As we reported on Friday, the Moms on the Hill (or MoTHs, whose activities we are documenting at Ionarts) and their friends continue their efforts to get the money and donated items they have collected thus far to the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. News reports on WTOP last night speculated that perhaps no evacuees were coming to Washington, but today we have learned (as reported in the Post) that 400 evacuees will arrive…

One thing we all know for certain is that you should not mess with your mom. So when moms unite, look out. Local group Moms on the Hill (MOTH) has had enough with watching people suffer in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and they have found a way that they can help directly. On Monday some refugees from Katrina will arrive in Washington where they will take shelter in the D.C. Armory, in the eastern…

While local and federal official scramble to adequately respond in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, individual donations are fast approaching $100 million, reports the Post, while communities and organizations have started campaigns to offer cheap or free housing to the thousands left homeless in the hurricane’s wake. Below are more local events to benefit the victims and information on how you can help: — The K Street Lounge (1301 K Street, NW) is hosting a…

Thanks to a DCist reader, we bring you more info on another worthy fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, this one taking place on September 12. Please keep directing information our way, and we’ll keep posting it. ———————- A group of high-profile chefs and restaurateurs here in Washington is donating its time, food and energy to raise money for New Orleans, in sympathy with all their fellow food and restaurant workers who have lost…